Southern Charm (Southern Desires Series Book 5)

by Jeannette Winters

  Mark was a hard ass, but he’d never snapped at her like that. Whatever he was doing, he was taking a major risk by talking to her now. If there had been any other way, she’d have taken it. This might affect what he was doing as well.

  Her voice was still scratchy, and her throat hurt like hell, but she answered the best she could. “It is.”

  Kevin chimed in, “Did you meet with Wyatt?”

  She’d anticipated Mark pulling others in on the call. She it was a good not to feel as though she was always two steps behind. His entire team can be on the call for all I care at this point. “Tried.”

  “What’s up with your voice?” Don asked sincerely. He wasn’t military, so he wasn’t looking for a debriefing. His concern for her seemed first and foremost.

  “Attacked. They’re dead. I’m alive.” Not sure for how long. I don’t think they were the only two, and I’m not sure it was Wyatt they wanted.

  “Are you okay?” Don asked, but Mark interrupted.

  “Who and when?”

  “Wyatt’s room. You’ll need to get the photos from the police. I was in no position to take any.”

  “McVeigh’s room, not yours?” Kevin asked.

  “You heard me,” Randi said angrily. She didn’t need their judgment. Nothing was going on between her and Wyatt, and if there was, that was her business, not theirs. “The door was open when I got there. Went in. Got attacked. I guess Wyatt came in and prevented their escape.”

  “You guess? You don’t know?” Mark asked firmly.

  “I wasn’t conscious when they were killed.” So I’m going with what I was told. Might be the truth, might not.

  “You were in Wyatt’s room, but you have no idea who else was there? Are you kidding me? What were you doing? Daydreaming?” Mark barked his accusations at her.

  Randi thought back to the seconds before she was grabbed. Her mind had been everywhere but where it should’ve been. It’d been a blissful moment. One she’d yearned for. She could almost see a future for herself. Yet, in a blink of an eye, reality slapped her in the face. Happiness is not mine to have and hold.

  She might not like the tone Mark was using with her but, damn it, he was right. She was off her game. Letting her guard down had been a huge mistake. One that could’ve cost not just her life, but Wyatt’s too.

  “I only know what I was told. I can’t even confirm how many people were in the room or what their relationship was to Wyatt. I screwed up, and I need your help.” It was difficult and humbling, but it was the truth.

  The line was quiet for a few seconds. She knew all was riding on Mark’s response. Neither Kevin nor Don would step on his authority, even though they didn’t report to him either.

  “Be at the airport in thirty minutes. We’re flying you out.”

  “Mark, I think we need to know what’s going on. If I leave, they might get whatever they were after. At least if I’m here, someone can keep an eye on Wyatt.”

  “Your judgment is compromised. It’s too risky,” Mark replied.

  “It’s my risk to take. I just need you to help get the information I need.”

  “And you need backup. Mark, I can be there by the end of the day. Bailey can stay with Hannah until I get back,” Don offered, but Randi knew Mark wasn’t going to allow that to happen. Not without him being here too.

  “Randi, if you’re right then you must know this affects us as well as the people in our lives,” Mark stated, his tone more in control.

  She knew that all too damn well. “That’s why you need me here, Mark. I have no one they can go after or use against me.” It was a cold, ugly fact. She was alone, and they all knew it.

  “That doesn’t mean your life is any less valuable than anyone else’s,” Mark replied.

  I don’t have a life, Mark. It was buried six years ago, and I can’t get it back. “I can do this.” Her throat felt like it was on fire from talking, even though her voice had been a raspy whisper at best. She wasn’t going to quit until she had what she needed. Help.

  Randi knew Mark didn’t like it, but he finally agreed. All she could do now was wait for him to gather information about the men in Wyatt’s room and figure out what they wanted. Before, it’s too late.

  Once Wyatt was in the police station, getting out wasn’t easy. He’d known there would be a lot of questions. He, after all, had two unidentified dead men in his room, and he was the one who’d killed them. They had no legal right to detain him any longer than they had. Twenty-four hours of what they called interview questions was more like an interrogation. But they didn’t know he was a master at that game himself. By the end of the questioning, he had more information from them than they had from him.

  As he was leaving the police station, he ran across the one person he didn’t want to see there. Sergeant Ozaki shouldn’t be at his desk. He’d given him specific instructions, which he apparently hadn’t followed. If anything fucking happened to her, Ozaki, you’ll regret not keeping your word.

  Storming over to where he sat, Wyatt barked, “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  Ozaki looked up at Wyatt and answered, “She’s not a prisoner. I couldn’t detain her against her will.”

  “The hell you couldn’t. She was wounded.” All he could think about was how she looked the last time he saw her. Her vitals seemed fine, but she hadn’t regained consciousness yet. “If anything happened–”

  “She’s fine. Trust me; I practically camped outside her hotel room door all night. She never left, and no one entered.”

  That didn’t mean she was okay. Ozaki should’ve been inside with her. Wyatt knew there were physical injuries and she’d be uncomfortable for a few days, but there were emotional injuries too. Her life had been in danger. Hell, she almost died. One second more and that bastard would’ve ended her life.

  There was no way she would have been able to sleep after such an ordeal. Fuck. I can’t get it out of my head; there’s no way I can.

  Wyatt didn’t want to admit the effect seeing her like that had on him. He’d even found it difficult to concentrate during the police questioning. Especially when they asked what she was doing in his room. Somehow he’d continued with the lie she’d started. My girlfriend.

  It was the only logical explanation he could give them. The truth was, he had no more idea what she was doing there than what those men were there for. Dead men don’t talk, but you, my dear Mirranda, have some explaining to do.

  He felt like such a hypocrite. Wyatt was ready to pound on Ozaki for not keeping an eye on Mirranda, and yet he was ready to question her like some criminal. Maybe if you told me the truth I wouldn’t feel this way. My doubt isn’t misplaced.

  Wyatt wasn’t going to waste any more time on Ozaki. He’d already proven he wasn’t strong enough to handle Mirranda. She acted as though she was sweet and fragile, but the way she fought that guy proved she wasn’t.

  Wyatt left the station and hailed a cab. He needed to touch base with Nate before seeing Mirranda again. He’s not going to be happy to hear I have no idea where she is.

  He got in the cab, gave the driver the hotel information, and dialed Nate’s number. He wasn’t going to be able to do a lot of talking, but right now he’d rather listen.

  “Where the hell have you been?” Nate shouted. “I’ve been calling your phone for hours.”

  “What did you find?”

  “Seriously, Wyatt, what the hell is going on?” Nate’s frustration was valid, but that didn’t mean Wyatt was going to acknowledge it.

  “Do you have names? Connections?”

  “Fuck, Wyatt. Have it your way, but man this isn’t cool. These guys are not people to fuck with.”

  “They’re dead.”

  “Two. Not all.”

  Nate didn’t have to tell him that. Wyatt had a feeling it was far from over the moment he walked into his hotel room. Those men were working for someone. All he needed to do was find out who that was.

  “Connections.”

 
“Still tracking. Both were holding false passports. I’ll text you their names and information. They’d been in the country less than a day before you took them out. I don’t think they were looking for you. I think this has to do with Mirranda.”

  “They were in my room.”

  “I’d guess they were after the files, not you.”

  If that was true, then Mirranda was in serious danger. Their boss must’ve figured out something had gone wrong when they didn’t report in. That meant another wave was probably on the way.

  “Nate, I need you to get me a number.”

  “Got it. Whose?”

  “Mark Collins. Make it his secure line.” Wyatt didn’t like having to reach out to him, but he needed to get Mirranda off this island and someplace safe. Nate was damn good, and if he thought she was the one they were after, she was in trouble.

  “Already done. What’re you planning on doing with it?”

  “Honoring your request,” Wyatt said before disconnecting the call.

  The cab pulled up to the hotel, and Wyatt pulled a fifty out of his wallet and gave it to the driver. He didn’t care how much it was. He wanted some privacy to bring a SEAL team leader up to date.

  Wyatt pulled the information he needed off Nate’s text then dialed Mark’s number.

  “Collins here. Who’s this?”

  “Wyatt McVeigh. We need to talk.”

  “Then talk,” Mark said.

  Wyatt noticed Mark never asked how he got the number. That meant Mark was already watching them. Wyatt was good at watching over his shoulder, which meant they had someone on Nate. Probably while in Providence. That means the information Nate got was only what Mark allowed. Fuck. This shit needs to end. He wished he and Mark could meet up and go head-to-head. Mark was a cocky bastard who needed to be put in his place. Of course, I’ve been told I’m pretty arrogant too. It came with the job titles.

  He needed to push his personal feelings aside. “Graham’s in danger.”

  “From?”

  Wyatt knew all too well the game Mark was playing. He wasn’t about to give Wyatt any information and was going to try to collect all he could. Normally he wouldn’t even bother reaching out, but this wasn’t about him. They wanted Mirranda for some reason, and it was going to take more than Nate and him to protect her. Whatever she knows, or they think she knows, they were willing to kill her for it in a public place. They’re desperate and that makes them unpredictable and dangerous. I’m not sure I can convince her how serious this is.

  “I think you would know best, Mark. What bee’s nest did you stir up? You think you took out the queen, but you didn’t. The hive is active and most likely out for revenge.”

  It was the best analogy he could come up with. Two scooted out and didn’t report back. When they find out those two aren’t coming back, and why, he was sure there’d be hell to pay. That means she’s no longer safe here.

  “What makes you think they’re connected?”

  Wyatt didn’t want to give him too much information, just enough to see if anything was going to be reciprocated. “Nate’s got enough on them to link them to what went down in Providence as well as Savannah.”

  He waited for Mark to process that. No one ever wanted someone else in their business. Mark was working outside of the Navy on this. Wyatt was crossing a few legal lines himself.

  “Have him send me what he has.”

  “I’d rather we meet and discuss it in person. Besides, we both know the next time they decide to send people, it won’t be just two.”

  “I tried getting her to leave last night. She wasn’t budging,” Mark said.

  “Let me worry about getting us off the island. You just text me where to meet.”

  “Roger.”

  With that settled, all he needed to do was convince Mirranda to leave with him. I have a feeling you’re going to be more of a challenge than Mark was.

  Although he could use a shower and change of clothes, Wyatt decided to catch her early. The last thing he wanted was Mark delivering the news and her bolting before they could talk.

  Wyatt wasn’t going to run around without a gun. He made a quick stop in his room and grabbed another Glock out of the safe with a spare clip. Then he strapped a pistol to one ankle and a knife to the other. He couldn’t make it through a TSA check at the airport, but he had no intention of flying public transportation. It was time to call in a few favors and stay under the radar.

  He made his way to her door and listened first before knocking. He could hear her speaking. Damn it. Had Mark already delivered the news? One way to find out. He knocked.

  She opened the door, and he held his shock in check. The bruising around her throat was worse than he’d anticipated. It went over her left jaw and up her cheek, stopping right under her swollen eye. Fuck. He really hurt you.

  Stepping inside, he closed and locked the door behind him. Her safety meant everything. Not because Nate told him to, but because he wanted—no needed—to protect her. Yesterday too many things had gone wrong. She might be up and walking now, but that didn’t mean the results were acceptable.

  He’d come to tell her point-blank what they were doing. Instead, his voice was unusually soft and consoling. “How are you?”

  She nodded and said, “Better.” But her voice didn’t sound normal at all. Deep and raspy would be sexy if it weren’t because you’re in pain.

  She was putting on a tough act for him, but he knew she was struggling. The move that bastard used on her was something they trained with frequently. He’d seen men twice her size taken down and hospitalized. Yet she was standing in front of him, pushing past it all. She’d impressed him, but that didn’t mean there weren’t things between them that still needed to be discussed. That will have to wait until I get her sweet ass to safety.

  “Good. We need to get you packed. We’re leaving in an hour.” He walked past her, opened her closet, pulled out her suitcase, and placed it on her bed.

  She stood there with her head tipped and arms crossed. “You must have the wrong room, because I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “It’s not up for discussion,” Wyatt said firmly as he opened her bag then headed back to the closet to collect her things. She didn’t move as he tossed her uniforms inside.

  I know. I’m arrogant and way out of fucking line. This is for your own good.

  “Are you planning on carrying me out over your shoulder? Because I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  Wyatt turned to face her again. She was serious, and he found it absolutely adorable that she thought she could stop him if he tried. “You don’t want to be here when the others come.”

  “Others?”

  “They’re not going to stop until they get what they want.”

  “And what is that exactly?”

  Walking over to her, he said gently, “You.”

  Only then did her confidence slip from her eyes. “Me? Why?”

  Wyatt shook his head. “We don’t know.”

  “Who’s we?”

  “Me. Nate. Mark.”

  Apparently, Mark hadn’t reached out to her; she seemed totally surprised. “You’ve spoken to Mark? About me?”

  “About the situation yesterday and what Nate’s learned about the men in my room. You’ll be briefed on it all once we’re in the air. So, let’s get you packed. Mark is waiting.”

  It took a few seconds for it all to set in, but then Mirranda walked over to the dresser and started pulling out clothes as well. Are you doing this because you’ve seen the light or because Mark is now involved? You might as well figure it out now; I don’t work for him or with him.

  There were so many things he wanted to say, but right now, he needed to get her to safety. Only then will I open the line of questions I’ve been holding for days. And you won’t be going anywhere until I have them answered.

  Chapter Eight

  She may have packed and boarded the private jet, but that didn’t mean she was pleased with the arra
ngement. Mark hadn’t called to give her the heads up. Instead, she received a text message from him after Wyatt had taken all control away from her.

  I don’t know when you two became buddies, but if either of you thinks this is going to fly a second time, you have another thing coming. Randi still felt like shit and didn’t have it in her to argue. Besides, she knew Wyatt was right. Whoever was behind yesterday’s attack wasn’t finished.

  What she didn’t buy was that they were after her. It made absolutely no sense. If they were pissed off about the four men getting killed in Providence when they tried to snatch Marina Brimlow, they’d be going after Kevin. Even if they were trying to locate Marina again, they’d look for Kevin. I’ve got nothing they want. I’m not even who they think I am. Both Mark and Wyatt missed the mark on this one.

  But as long as they believed they were correct, the more likely the terrorists were going to get what they want. How am I going to find out what that is without either of them knowing?

  She contemplated utilizing Kevin, her usual loyal resource. The other option was to bring Wyatt’s right-hand man, Nate, into this. She’d have to tell him everything. There were some really ugly things she’d prefer he not know. Like how those bastards shot Maggie in the back of the head like cowards. Or that Maggie broke up with him because she was afraid he’d ask her not to do it, and she wouldn’t be able to deny him. It’s bad enough I need to live with this knowledge, Nate doesn’t need to carry that pain as well. Looks like I’m doing this on my own.

  Wyatt was stretched out in the seat across from her. His eyes were closed but his breathing showed he wasn’t sleeping. She’d gone to his room to talk and hadn’t had a chance to explain that to him; maybe this was a good time to clear the air. Once they landed and Mark was around, it’d be awkward. Not that it isn’t already.

  “Wyatt, there’s something we should talk about.”

  He slowly sat up and looked at her. “There’s a lot if you ask me. Do you want to start or should I ask my questions?”

  His tone was gruff. Randi was trying to come forward with information, and he looked as if he already doubted what she was about to say. The least he could do was give her a chance to explain before calling her a liar. My track record isn’t good, but the reasoning behind it all is.